Iron Hill Russian Imperial Stout

750ml from . . . I can’t remember. Thanks, whoever you are! Nice oily pour on this one, with a half-finger beige head. The nose is very soft, with subtle notes of wood and smoke mixed in with the thick, luscious malts. Strong chocolate dominates the flavor, but it’s definitely on the bitter end, with a dry roasted finish that complements the chalky finish. It’s almost understated for a beer this big, but I actually appreciate that. Solid brew.

En fût. Verre de dégustation directement à la brasserie (Établissement de Newark, DE). Arôme: Odeur de chocolat avec une pointe de café et de mélasse. Saveur: Légèr goût de chocolat et de cerises avec une pointe d’alcool. Durée moyenne de l’arrière goût. Palette: Le corps est moyen avec une texture légèrement huileuse. Moyenne effervescence en bouche. Légère présence d’alcool en arrière goût. (Rating #2250)

Brewed in the USA........ Courtesy of The Captain, thanks Mark. Pours black in color with a thin beige head. Aroma of roasted malts, chocolate and hops. Taste has a burnt wood flavor with malts, vanilla and a hint of coffee. The mouthfeel is average and finishes on the dry side.

Growler shared by TheCaptain. Thanks Mark, I think. I don’t see what the fuss is about here. It was black with a foamy tan head with a nondescript roasted smell. The flavor was harsh and burnt, ashy even. It was drinkable, and I guess I have to give them credit for trying to make it "big", but it fails miserably at the taste test.

Served at Iron Hill Lancaster- Poured ink black with small creamy off white/tan head. Aroma of chocolates, malts. Malty and smooth with touches of coffee, dark chocolate but with a bit of the alc. on the pallet. Bit of a dry roast finish.

Dark pour with a nice tan head. The aroma is of sweet dark malts, chocolate, roast. Lots of roasted malt and coffee in the flavor, underlying chocolatey sweetness. Some nice dryness in the finish. Smooth drinking and creamy. nice beer.

Bottle (750ml) shared with HogTownHarry & garthicus -- courtesy of HogTownHarry. Pours black with an average size diminishing creamy light-brown head. Nice aroma of roasted malt, lots of green hops, dark chocolate, some smoke and dark fruit. Flavour of roasted malt, mocha, lots of hops and molasses -- tastes great and goes down easy! Nice roasty bitter finish. Alcohol well hidden. Medium bodied, creamy mouthfeel. This is fantastic stuff, I don’t want my glass to run out!

Bottle (750ml). Shared with blankboy and garthicus, via trade with glouglouburp. Oh my GOD this is such a great imperial stout - we all remarked how we could have pounded back pitchers of it. Gahhhhhhrllll ... pitchers ...... Anyway. Poured opaque black, with a lasting average-sized creamy mottled tan/brown head (4+). Smooth, literally mouth-watering aroma, of chocolate, table cream, tons of roasted coffee beans, mild floral hops, very mild alcohol. The taste had more bitterness, but still extremely well balanced and smooth - moderate resin/herbal bitterness, a hint of tart raisin, plenty of dark chocolate and strong coffee, a little more alcohol than the aroma, but still restrained - lovely and balanced. Silky, smooth mouthfeel, quite rich and creamy, moderate carbonation (who needs much carbonation in an impy?), with a balanced, medium-long roast/bitter finish. Stunningly drinkable, no strong aftertaste ---- dammit, where’s my pitcher of this stuff?